Colac to Geelong drive: Distance, time & road trip stops

The Colac to Geelong drive covers a 75km distance in around 55 minutes. The best road trip stops along the route are the Barwon Park Mansion and Nicol’s Paddock.

The Colac to Geelong drive is most likely to be undertaken by travellers returning from Warrnambool to Melbourne. It’s part of the quick route back to the Victorian capital after driving the Great Ocean Road.

Colac is a medium-sized town on the shores of Lake Colac, while Geelong is the second largest city in Victoria.

3 Geelong experiences to book in advance

A water bike tour along the coast.
A sunrise balloon flight – see the bay, hills and river from above.
Rent an electric picnic boat on the Waterfront.

The best places to stay in Geelong

The top Geelong accommodation options are:

For an affordably-priced, good quality motel: Parkside Motel.
For fabulous apartments near the beach: Vue Apartments Geelong.
For a family-friendly hotel with an indoor pool and balconies in each room: Novotel Geelong.
For a facility-packed holiday park: Tasman Holiday Parks Geelong.

Colac to Geelong distance and driving time

The distance from Colac to Geelong is 75km, with a driving time of around 55 minutes. There are a couple of road trip stops worth investigating along the way, however.

Leaving Colac along the Princes Highway, you’ll pass the Wharncourt Recreation Reserve, a small park that won’t be of much interest to overseas visitors.

The route then passes the Lake Ayrey Wildlife Reserve. Fishermen and birdwatchers can get some joy here, but it is by no means essential.

Colac to Geelong drive: Winchelsea attractions

The drive continues to Winchelsea, the largest town on the route. There are a few attractive heritage buildings here, and the 19^th century Barwon River Bridge is rather handsome.

The Barwon Plains Winery and National Trust-run Barwon Park Mansion are just to the north of Winchelsea. The latter is a grand 1871 home open for tours on Wednesdays and Sundays.

You’ll leave the Princes Highway at Waurn Ponds, a south-western suburb of Geelong.

Before reaching the centre of Geelong, you can stop at the Nicol’s Paddock winery, Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre and the Barwon Valley Park.

What’s worth doing in Geelong?

Things to do in Geelong include seeing the Baywalk Bollards along the waterfront, Buckley Falls, helicopter rides, the National Wool Museum and the Boom Gallery.

Geelong accommodation options include the well-equipped apartments of Quest Geelong, the superbly-reviewed Anchor Geelong and the family-friendly Discovery Parks holiday park.